Calgary police officer acquitted of domestic assault charges

A Calgary police officeron trial for assaulting his pregnant common-law wife was found not guilty on all charges Friday.

MarkMcCullough, a nine-year member who is currently suspended from the Calgary Police Service withpay, was facing three counts of domestic assault.

Provincial court JudgeJohn Holmes said theCrown failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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A trial held in September revealed McCullough, 44, and the alleged victim his ex-fiancee had different versions of the incidents that transpired in November 2016.

The former couple were the only two people to testify in the he-said-she-said trial.Both parties agreed they fought a lot over the course of their three-year relationship.

The woman, who CBCNews is not naming to protect the children involved, was eight-months pregnant at the time of the incidents. She told the court that McCullough twice assaulted her during arguments nine days apart. But McCullough said his ex initiated the violence punching him and head-butting him.

'Finally put the matter behind him'

McCullough'sdefence lawyer, Cory Wilson, said he never had a doubt his client would beacquittedof the charges.

"Mr.McCulloughwas a victim of domestic violence and at all times acted in self-defense. He is overwhelmed with emotion and is grateful that he can finally put this matter behind him," Wilson said in an email statement toCBCNews.

McCullough is also facing unrelated charges of breach of trust and obstruction of justice, accused of helping a friend avoid an impaired driving charge in 2015. A trial date for those charges has not yet been set.

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